Picrolemma sprucei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picrolemma pseudocoffea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Picrolemma sprucei, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Simaroubaceae and falls under the genus Picrolemma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of South America. In the northern part of the continent, it can be found in both French Guiana and Venezuela. Moving toward the western side of the continent, its range extends through Colombia. The species is also documented as growing within the borders of Ecuador. Finally, its geographical reach continues southward into Peru.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picrolemma sprucei is characterized by its preference for specific forest structures and altitudinal gradients. This species is typically found within Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), indicating a dependency on stable, moist, and non-flooded tropical forest environments. Its distribution is restricted to a specific elevational range, occurring between 200 m and 300 m AMSL (meters above sea level).

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Picrolemma sprucei is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a tree that can reach a maximum height of 7 meters. Although it exhibits various environmental adaptations, its primary ecological stance is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, such as a liana or vine, nor does it act as an epiphyte; instead, it remains a terrestrial organism. Furthermore, the species is an independent plant, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, whether obligatory or facultative, maintaining its own nutritional autonomy throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Picrolemma sprucei has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Fitoterapia

Root

1. Fitoterapia

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Picrolemma sprucei has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isobrucein B, 15-Deacetylsergeolide, ISOBRUCEINE B, NEOSERGEOLIDE, Sergeolide.

Isobrucein B

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
2. Journal of natural products
3. Fitoterapia

15-Deacetylsergeolide

1. Journal of natural products

ISOBRUCEINE B

1. Journal of natural products

NEOSERGEOLIDE

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Sergeolide

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Picrolemma sprucei has 2 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antileukemic, Antineoplastic.

Antileukemic

1. Journal of natural products

Antineoplastic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Picrolemma sprucei has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, dengue fever, gastritis.

Malaria

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
2. Fitoterapia

Dengue fever

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Gastritis

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Picrolemma sprucei has 1 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extract.

Leaf extract

1. Journal of natural products